We are seeking an enthusiastic and committed individual with demonstrable experience in collections and public-facing display and interpretation to join our busy team. In this role you will coordinate and documentation, care, presentation and promotion of the collections of the college’s three museums: Museum of Antiquities, Museum of Eton Life and Natural History Museum. The ideal candidate will be self-motivated with excellent organisational and communication skills and a flexible approach, and able to work effectively with a variety of colleagues and stakeholders. Experience of a temporary exhibition or gallery refurbishment is desirable.

The College Collections include art, artefacts, manuscripts and archives, rare books and natural history specimens, ranging from the prehistoric to the present day. The college’s museums are open to the public every Sunday afternoon and are used extensively in education programmes for students at local and partner schools. The Museum of Eton Life is the focus of a major project to upgrade display cases and refresh the museum for a relaunch projected for September 2026, and until then the greater part of the postholder’s time will be dedicated to this project.

Working pattern

This is a full-time position, permanent position working 52 weeks per year.

The working hours will be 35 hours per week Monday - Friday 

Flexibility is required as the nature of this post requires some evening and weekend hours, which will be scheduled in advance in consultation with the post holder and for which time off in lieu will be given.

Interviews are expected to take place in the week commencing 13^th May and / or 20th May 2024.

Due to the needs of the school and the department, we may interview suitable candidates before the closing date. This job may also close early if a large number of applications are received. You are advised to submit your application as early as possible to avoid missing your chance to apply.

Eton College offers a wide range of benefits, including an 11% employer contribution to your pension (with 4.9% employee contribution), Employee Assistance Programme, enhanced Maternity / Paternity scheme, a cycle to work scheme, subsidised lunches during term time, free or heavily discounted access to the College’s sport and leisure facilities and discounts at local retailers and businesses.

Museum Management and Administration

• Implements policy and strategy of the College Collections in all areas of museum work;
• Represents the museums on the College’s Collections Committee, on College Collections sub-committees and other bodies when necessary;
• Supports museum curators in managing associated budgets and in producing annual reports and other reports as required;
• With the wider team, monitors museum buildings and facilities;
• Occasionally trains and supervises volunteers, work placements and cataloguers and front-of-house staff;
• Liaises with external museum and heritage professionals and subject specialists to promote the museums and increase co-operation between Eton and other institutions.

Access and Interpretation

• To September 2026: Acts as lead curator on project to refresh the display and interpretation of the Museum of Eton Life;
• Acts as initial point of contact for enquiries about museum collections and access, and responds by email, telephone and post. Provides access for researchers and visiting parties;
• Contributes to formal and informal educational work of the museums, for example by giving tours and delivering presentations to visiting groups and individuals, as well as to Eton students and staff, and by supporting teaching sessions led by Eton masters and the Collections Education Manager. Contributes to the Collections’ events programme (e.g. family learning events, occasional evening or weekend events and open days);
• Collaborates with Exhibitions & Access Coordinator on matters related to design and interpretation, ensuring diverse audiences and their access needs are considered. Writes information, labels, publications, online media and other means of interpretation tailored to a range of audience needs. Ensures captions and text are up to date;
• Collaborates with subject specialists (museum curators) and conservation staff to maintain, update and redisplay collections across the museums;
• Contributes to temporary special exhibitions drawing on museum collections (sometimes acting as lead curator).

Collection Management

• With the museum curators, and with reference to relevant sector standards and benchmarks, develops and refines collection management policies for the museum collections;
• Oversees and undertakes implementation and documentation of primary Spectrum procedures for objects in the museum collections. Adds and improves object records and other documentation as appropriate and updates locations following movement. Contributes to digitisation efforts as appropriate;
• Collaborates with conservation staff to implement preventive conservation policies;
• Supports museum curators in assessing potential acquisitions in keeping with museum collection management policies. Liaises with donors of materials to the museums.

Safeguarding

• Commitment and promotion of equality, diversity and inclusion;
• All positions at Eton are classed as ‘regulated activity’ as per the Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance, therefore a good understanding of safeguarding procedures is essential;
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, including but not limited to, completing safeguarding training as required, and ensuring any safeguarding updates issued by the College are read and understood;
• Understand and comply with procedures and legislation relating to confidentiality.

Additional 

• Carries out any other duties appropriate to the post and in line with the needs of the Collections.

To be successful in this role, you will need to be able to demonstrate the following;

Essential

• Experience of working in a museum environment;
• Strong understanding and practical knowledge of collection management, care and display of collections in line with museum accreditation standards, including strong knowledge of Spectrum standards and their application;
• Experience of techniques of engagement and interpretation, including developing and producing exhibitions/displays of collections for the public;
• Excellent organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage a wide range of tasks simultaneously and meet deadlines;
• Ability to work as part of a team, use own initiative and organise own workload;
• Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills, both written and spoken;
• Strong IT skills, including ability to use the Microsoft Office suite;
• Hands-on experience and knowledge of collection management systems;
• Demonstrable interest in aspects of the Eton museums’ collections.

Desirable

• Postgraduate museums qualification or experience to a comparable level;
• Experience of a temporary exhibition or gallery refurbishment;
• Experience of financial management, budgeting, tracking and reporting;
• Experience of effective staff, volunteer and/or contractor supervision.

We are an equal opportunities employer and are seeking applications from suitable candidates from all backgrounds. We are dedicated to creating and sustaining an environment that values individuality and difference and celebrates the diversity of both staff and pupils by fostering perseverance, tolerance and integrity. We believe in equal opportunity for everyone, irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation or socio-economic background.

If you have any queries about the application process or any problem with submitting your application online, the Recruitment Team will be happy to help. Should you require any reasonable adjustments to be made or facilities provided to enable you to apply online, please do not hesitate to contact us on recruitment@etoncollege.org.uk so we can make adjustments accordingly. 

DISCLOSURE CHECKS

Eton College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including, but not limited to, reference checks with past employers, an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (including Barred List information), an online search and, where applicable, Prohibition checks. If you are successful in your application, you will be required to complete a DBS Disclosure Application Form.  Any information disclosed will be handled in accordance with any guidance and/or Code of Practice published by the DBS. The College is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore all convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings (including those which would normally be considered as “spent” under the Act) must be declared, subject to the DBS filtering rules. It is a criminal offence for any person who is barred from working with children to attempt to apply for a position at the College.